15 Christmas Light Displays In Ohio That Are Pure Magic

Every holiday season the state of Ohio lights up the night with dazzling Christmas lights the whole family can enjoy.

Both walk-through and drive-through displays get you in the spirit—and the quality family time is truly priceless. Grab a hot chocolate and visit the closest light show near you (and as many others as you like, of course.) The following are 15 of our favorite Christmas light displays happening in Ohio this year that are pure magic.

1. The Christmas Ranch (Morrow)

April Dray/Only In Your State

This popular family fun attraction features a million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music, Christmas shops, pictures with Santa, wagon and train rides and hot food and drinks. It is open the day after Thanksgiving until December 31 on Sunday - Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S Waynesville Rd., Morrow, OH 45152.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park transforms into a winter wonderland from November 18 to January 1. View the lights on Monday - Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday - Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is located at 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013.

The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill are featured nightly from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (weather permitting) starting the day after Thanksgiving until December 31. (On Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Eve the display closes at 8 p.m.)
Clifton Mill is located at 75 Water St., Clifton, OH 45316.

Board a quarter-scale train and ride through holiday lights and decorations at this family fun destination, which also features a railroad gift shop, a decorated museum and pictures with Santa. The display begins the day after Thanksgiving and is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. until January 1. (It will be closed on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.) Board the North Pole Express at 12505 County Rd. 99, Findlay, OH 45840.

Bring the whole family to enjoy this Christmas light extravaganza, which runs from December 1 - 30. It is open on Friday - Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Monday - Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights is located at Harrison Smith Park (525 East Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.)

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights is also a popular destination for families during the holiday season. Beginning November 18 and lasting until January 3, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a magical winter wonderland. See the lights Sunday - Thursday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)

Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo is fun for the whole family. The zoo features more than a million lights, making it a magical winter wonderland from November 18 until December 31. View the lights on Sunday - Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)

The PNC festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden runs from November 19 to January 1. It's open on Sunday - Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 pm. (The lights won't be open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)

Open nightly from November 18 until December 31, this family favorite drive-through light display in the Cincinnati area features more than a mile of dazzling lights. See them on Sunday - Thursday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Holiday In Lights is located at Sharon Woods Park (11450 Lebanon Rd., Route 42 Sharonville, OH 45241.)

The Collison's Festival of Lights in Lancaster draws families from the surrounding areas to experience the unique drive-thru holiday lights display. (Donations are appreciated.) The show runs from Thanksgiving night to January 1 on week nights from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. It is located at 5601 Westfall Rd. SW, Lancaster, OH 43130.

Light Up Middletown is open the day after Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve and features a drive-thru light display. (Donations are encouraged.) View the lights every night from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., regardless of weather (including holidays.) It is located at 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH 45042.

This half-mile wonderland of lights, displays and festival activities in Countryside Park is a popular holiday family fun attraction. It is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly starting the day after Thanksgiving until December 23.

The French City's park lights up the night during the holiday season, beginning November 23. Visit this quaint small town along the Ohio River for a memorable holiday season. You'll find the city park at 2nd Ave., Gallipolis, OH 45631.

This drive-thru holiday light show also features pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate and cookies and gift shops. It is open from November 18 until January 1 on Sunday - Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights is located at 2911 S Old State Rd., Delaware, OH 43015.

Have you bee to any of these displays before? What (and where) is your favorite Christmas light display in Ohio? Share your photos, thoughts and experiences with us!